The news continues to flow fast and furious out of Photokina 2012. Lets not waste time and jump right in.

Canon

A slightly better kept secret than the Nikon D600, Canon’s new EOS 6D is also aimed as an affordable entry into full frame photography. Features include a 20.2mp sensor with a DIGIC 5+ image processor that allows you to shoot at 4.5fps, offers in camera HDR and 1080p video capture at 30fps. ISO range is from 100 to 102,400 when extended. The autofocus system is claimed to work in light levels as low as EV-3. It looks to be a fantastic machine and sports built in Wi-Fi.

Also announced are three new PowerShots of particular interest. First off there is the long awaited replacement of the G12, the G15! Talk about a jump in the evolution. There is a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens now with an f/1.8-2.8 aperture range. At the heart is a 12.1mp CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 5 processor.

Possibly even more exciting for many out there is the S110. This S range for Canon has been very successful since the S90 hit the market with the ability to shoot RAW. The S110 replaces the S100 keeping the 12.1mp sensor and 24-120mm f2-5.9 lens. Where the big change comes is the inclusion of Wi-Fi and a Touch Screen.

Lastly, the SX50 HS arrives in October sporting the same 12.1mp sensor in the previously mentioned two cameras but with a huge 50x optical zoom range. That is the equivalent to a 24-1200mm range with an f/3.4-6.5 aperture.

Olympus

Just as Canon have announced the long awaited replacement for their compact “pro” camera, the G12, so Olympus have announced the replacement of the XZ-1. Thats right, its the XZ-2. The 12mp shooter has a 4x optical zoom ranging from 28-112mm (equivalent) and sporting an f/1.8-2.5 aperture. The 3-inch screen on the back is a Touch LCD. While we have not seen it yet, reports are that the body is a bit on the large size.

Olympus have also updated two of the cameras in their PEN range of mirrorless machines. The E-PL5 and E-PM2 update the entry level end of the range. Both camera now share the same 16mp CMOS sensor as found in the OM-D EM-5. ISO goes from 200-25,600 and there is a 3-inch screen (touch on the E-PM2) round back. The E-PL5 is a non touch, flip up screen (Sony NEX-F3 style).

A new lens in the PEN range is the 15mm f/8 Ultra-Pancake lens which looks more like a lens cap than a lens itself.

Fuji

Continuing to grow the X-series of camera, Fuji have released the XF1. With the same 12mp EXR CMOS sensor as found in the X10, the XF1 has a 4x optical zoom with an f/1.8-4.9 aperture. It is well styled, particularly if you like retro. It shoots RAW files and has the full range of exposure modes (namely P, A, S, M).

Sigma

Moving forward, Sigma will be dividing their lenses into three simple categories.

‘Sports’ lenses will feature the big boys including their new 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM (OS= Optical Stabilised, HSM=HyperSonic Motor for faster, quieter autofocus.) Then there is the ‘Contemporary’ lenses which are compact and/or have a wide zoom range like the new improved, smaller and lighter, 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DG OS HSM. Lastly the ‘Art’ range will feature the primes, wide-angle and macro lenses like the new 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM.

Leica

If you follow Leica closely you may be aware that there is a bit of a partnership between them and Panasonic. Hence there is a new V-Lux 4 and D-Lux 6. The V-Lux 4 has the same 24x optical zoom with an impressive f/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range as Panasonic announced a little while back. The D-Lux 6 sounds an awful lot then like it could be the Leica version of the Panasonic Lumix-7 with a 10.1mp CMOS sensor and fast f/1.4-2.3 aperture. 24-90mm lens.

The bigger news is on the Leica M-E which is meant to be a more affordable affordable version of the M9 which is an 18mp full frame CCD sensor equipped camera. Also announced is a new M. That is right, just a plain Leica M. Same as the iPad 3 is just iPad. The M will feature a 24mp CMOS sensor and will have Live View, making it the first Leica M camera to allow you to shoot using the back LCD screen like you would a compact camera or your smart phone. It will also shoot 1080p video and accepts the Electronic Viewfinder of the X2.

Hasselblad

How much should a top end mirrorless camera cost? Hasselblad think $6,500 should do nicely. Meet the Lunar. It is still only in concept phase it would seem right now, but the company that sent their camera to the moon are teaming up with Sony to launch a top end Compact System Camera using the NEX-7’s 24mp CMOS sensor and the same E-mount for lenses. The sketches of the camera (due to ship in 2013) are quite radical in some ways with the wooden grip looking more like it should be part of a gun.

The move is the start of a plan that will see Hasselblad launch a full frame DSLR camera and possibly even enter the compact camera market as well. It sounds interesting. Wonder if it will actually happen.

Tags

Author Bio

Founder of PhotoComment. In a relatively short space of time he has experienced the photography industry almost full circle. From camera repairs, to photographic retail, wholesale, marketing for one of the large camera brands, part time photographer and of course blogger there is hardly a moment when he is not eating, drinking and occasionally getting some sleep where photography is not involved.